Freshmen often approach research papers by selecting a "giant topic" and going to the library to confront swamps and mountains of resources. A different approach to teaching research is designed to help students begin to shift the often counter-productive paradigm under which they operate. The classroom strategy proposed is 3-fold.…

In this paper, five doctoral students at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), calling themselves the New Technology Group (NTG), describe their research on online communication as a method of inquiry. The focus of the inquiry is to contribute to the formal knowledge base of adult online learning, the impact and possible benefits of…

This activity teaches about the complexity of ocean exploration, the technological applications and capabilities required for ocean exploration, the importance of teamwork in scientific research projects, and developing abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry. The activity provides learning objectives, a list of needed materials, key…

This book provides guidance to teachers on the integration of inquiry into teaching, creating meaningful challenges, and opportunities to experience scientific methodology. The book is divided into three sections: (1) "Lighting the Fire: Getting Inquiry Under Way"; (2) "Tending the Fire: Sustaining Inquiry Throughout the Year"; and (3)…

Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM) is a statewide in-service and outreach program designed to provide inservice training for teachers in technology and content knowledge. ASIM is also designed to increase student interest in science and future science careers. The goals of ASIM are to complement, enhance, and facilitate implementation of the…

This book gives elementary and middle school teachers a set of physical science activities to help teach major concepts in the study of matter. The activities were developed to lend themselves to a guided inquiry approach for use with grades 3-8. To be effective over such a wide grade range, activities are designed to cover basic concepts but have…

The value of children's drawing and writing in science lies in its potential to assist children in making observations, remembering events, and communicating understandings. However, a neglected aspect of children's representations is that they can serve the teacher as guide to children's understandings and as a diagnostic tool. By creating their…

Recent science education reforms have advocated inquiry-based instruction in which teachers engage students in scientific investigations and problem-solving situations as an important strategy. This study describes the background and beliefs of a preservice teacher who appears above average in her ability to create and carry out inquiry-based…

Mental models of metallic bonding held by learners' from three academic levels, secondary school (year-12), undergraduate and postgraduate, were probed using semi-structured interviews including the use of Interview about Events focus card depicting metallic properties and cards containing depictions of models from curriculum material. Learners…

This paper presents a comparative analysis of three teacher educators using a curriculum--Developing Mathematical Ideas--designed to serve elementary school teachers in an inquiry group setting. The aim of the study was to examine the processes and demands of supporting teachers' learning and their efforts to reform their practices. Data…

In this paper, two arts education instructors engage in a dialogue about their emerging identities to further knowledge for pre-service educators in teacher education programs. Thus, the paper provides a forum about the conduct and theory of arts-based research in education. It also provides examples and critiques of theories of practice and…

Cognitive Scaffolding is what a teacher does when working with a student to solve a problem, carry out a task, or achieve a goal which would be beyond his unassisted efforts. As a psychological construct, it refers to the interaction between the knowledge and skills of teacher and student. A computer, textbook, or laboratory materials may serve as…

This paper indicates the increasing interest and importance of research on the effects of attitudes toward learning, and examines the differences in attitudes by gender, ethnicity, and grade level among middle school students toward science. It was concluded that sex differences provide a constant influence on attitudes toward science, and that…

A researcher who is also a college teacher reflects on the personal meaning of research and the relationship between researcher and subject. As teacher-researchers embark on the process of discovery, they engage in relationships with informants. Developing these relationships requires implicit moral and ethical responsibility, mutual respect, and…

The Wright State University Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Franchise has developed a project to fill the need for direct, strong connections linking science, mathematics and technology to classroom curriculum and students' learning of integrated, relevant content. GLOBE is an international project that involves…